Dh10 Cards and Free Passes: How Abu Dhabi's Hafilat Bus Fares Work
Taking a bus across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra means tapping a Hafilat smart card every time you step on and off. Managed by Abu Dhabi Mobility, the entity operating under the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the system calculates fares automatically based on distance traveled. Settling for a basic card when you qualify for a specialized permit means paying out-of-pocket fares that could easily be subsidised or eliminated.
Abu Dhabi Bus Fares: Choosing the Right Hafilat Smart Card
Two primary card options form the base of the network, designed for different travel habits and residency statuses.
Buying an Anonymous Hafilat card costs Dh10 and gives you a 16-year card validity. It requires zero registration or paperwork to purchase, making it an instant option for temporary visitors or occasional riders. The drawback sits in balance protection: if you lose or break an anonymous card, you lose the balance on it unless you manually link the card to a UAE identity card.
Upgrading to a Personalised Hafilat card costs nothing for the physical card itself and stays valid for 16 years. It unlocks features anonymous cards lack, such as 7-day and 30-day public transport passes, balance recovery if damaged, and access to subsidised annual permits. Applying for one requires an Emirates ID, or a passport and visa for visitors, alongside a personal photo. If you fill out an application through the website, you must bring a copy of the application and payment receipt to a customer care office at a bus station or airport to finish the process.
Specialized Permits for Students, Seniors, and People of Determination
Custom annual permits sit directly on top of the Personalised Hafilat card framework, waiving individual trip fares across designated transport zones for eligible riders.
Eligible students can purchase a Student Permit for Dh500 per year. The permit grants unlimited free travel on public buses throughout Abu Dhabi city and its suburbs, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. Student applicants must submit a valid Emirates ID, a personal photo, and official documentation proving current student enrollment.
Residents and citizens aged 55 and older qualify for a Senior Permit at no cost. Valid for one year, this permit grants unlimited free bus travel across Abu Dhabi city, its suburbs, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra without purchasing extra passes. Applicants must present a valid Emirates ID and get a personal photo taken at an official counter.
Cardholders approved for a People of Determination Permit get free annual travel across the same regional routes, plus a free permit for one companion. The permit covers unlimited free trips across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra for a full year.
How to Get Your Hafilat Card or Permit
- Visit a Customer Happiness Office located at Abu Dhabi bus stations or the airport to apply in person or present an online application receipt.
- Provide your Emirates ID, or your passport and visa details if you are visiting the UAE.
- Submit proof of student status if applying for a Student Permit, or proof of age for a Senior Permit.
- Have your personal photo taken at the counter to complete card activation.
